Survey Shows Data Security Work Lagging

Computerworld - In a Computerworld online survey conducted during the last week of August, only half of the 2,620 respondents (49.8%) said that their companies have embarked on new post-9/11 disaster preparedness and recovery projects. (Chart 1)

Of that new work, most of the funds came at the expense of other projects inside IT's budget (27.8%). A mere 15.6% saw new monies dedicated to bolstering data security efforts (Chart 2).

As shown in Chart 3, a variety of steps were taken by those with increased funds. Data security and data backups were the top projects listed; multiple responses were permitted.

Chart 4 shows that one-fifth (22.7%) of those taking the survey said their companies put off or canceled other work to better secure their operations.

The fallout inside business from the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon was widely felt as companies adjusted to protect their employees and IT assets, according to those polled (Chart 5).

Corporate physical security and IT data security, however, remain largely independent of each other after 9/11, our survey revealed (Chart 6).

State of Security CHART 1 NOT MUCH NEW. . . : Among the 2,620 survey respondents, just under half said their companies have “undertaken any IT projects to improve disaster preparedness and recovery operations” since Sept. 11. CHART 2 . . . ESPECIALLY FUNDING: A mere 15% of respondents said their companies provided additional funds; most took money away from other IT work.

Chart 3 If your budget has increased, in what areas are you spending the extra money? Choice Count Percent of Sample Data security 668 25.5% Physical security 484 18.5% Biometrics 63 2.4% Telecom/communications 369 14.1% Data backup 655 25.0% Internet security 532 20.3% Virus-detection software 414 15.8% Authentication technologies 264 10.1% Other specify 108 4.1% Budget has not increased 1,389 53.0%

Chart 4 Has increased security spending since the Sept. 11 attacks made it necessary for your IT department to put on hold or cancel other IT projects? Choice Count Percentage Answered Yes 590 22.7% No 1,592 61.2% Don't know 419 16.1%

Chart 5 Has your company employed any of the following changes in the aftermath of 9/11? Choice Count Percent of Sample Reduced employee travel for safety reasons 720 27.5% Encouraged greater use of telecommuting and mobile computing 785 30.0% Distributed computing resources that were once centralized 336 12.8% Made greater use of Web- and videoconferencing 936 35.7%

Chart 6 Have you taken any steps to integrate physical and IT security operations for the purposes of employee protection? Choice Count Percentage Answered Yes 693 26.9% No 1,382 53.5% Don't know 506 19.6%

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